Sarajevo – The special EU representative in B&H, Peter Sorensen, said that the way EU is going to help B&H and invest funds implies the existence of sector strategies concerning the whole country.
“Undoubtedly, the question of the coordination mechanism must be solved. Having in mind the fact that we are spending funds of the taxpayers of the EU, some obligations should be respected among which the one telling for what exactly are those funds being used.” – said Sorensen for Večernji list.
“It’s another problem we had with B&H. We were sending funds after the agreement on consumption was made, and then we had conflicts and disagreements on that same consumption again. Other countries in the region also need money and no one is going to wait for you to agree on how to spend it or if you don’t respect the agreement. It is not a partnership EU desires and it will not give up on insisting on the coordination mechanism to be established.” – stated Sorensen.
He also added that if stagnation occurs in the process of enlargement it will be due to politics elites in B&H which are not doing their jobs.
“The EU sent a clear message; we see B&H as a partner and we are here to stay. We are present, with a considerable financial support. The EU is the main trade partner of B&H, we have contract obligations so if the stagnation occurs, the EU will not be the one to blame.” – said Sorensen.
According to his words, it is still too early to assess whether the political authorities in B&H did enough to help the population affected by the floods.
“The international solidarity with B&H was certainly present, the funds are present too, but we need a coordinated effort in order to communicate things with the donors and to know how the funds are going to be used. I am still waiting to see that effort. A coordination meeting is scheduled for October 16th, five months after the floods.” – said Sorensen.
(Source: vijesti.ba)
